The Hawks ran out 22.13 (145) to 13.12 (90) winners, with 28-year-old Hodge inspirational with 31 possessions and two goals.

After a first half where the weight of punching suggested two premiership heavyweights, the knockout blows came in the second half as the Hawks wore down the Magpies then beat them up on the scoreboard.

Hodge was sensational in the second and third terms, grabbing 10 touches in each and proving vital in helping the Hawks roll back Collingwood's 22-point second quarter lead.

As the game wore on, they were tougher, more physical, were able to get handballs out of our tackles and stop us doing the same.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley admitted his side was schooled by a rougher, tougher Hawks outfit.

"It was their (Hawthorn's) will," Buckley said of what turned the match around the second quarter.

"As the game wore on, they were tougher, more physical, were able to get handballs out of our tackles and stop us doing the same.

"When you're coming up against good sides, you need to be right all the time.

"You can't afford to give even an inch to these good sides. We did."

Collingwood had the better of a tough contest early, with two of key forward Travis Cloke's five goals for the match helping his side establish a decent second-quarter buffer as they dominated with slick, high-speed handball chains.

But the Hawks reduced the deficit with the last three goals of the term to Jed Anderson, Lance Franklin and Hodge to trail by just a point at half-time.

The teams traded goals and grunt for most of the third term, with the Hawks first pushing out to a three-goal lead before Collingwood closed to within six points.

With Hodge again prominent, the Hawks then booted the final three goals of the quarter - Luke Breust kicking a critical major on the three-quarter time siren for Hawthorn to open up a 24-point lead.

Franklin then put the contest beyond doubt with the opening goal of the fourth quarter among his four for the match.

Like they did last weekend against West Coast, the Hawks were ruthless late on to blow out the final scoreline - extending their margin with six of the last seven goals of the match.

As well as Franklin's four, Breust, Jarryd Roughead and Shaun Burgoyne all booted three each.

Collingwood wingman Harry O'Brien was reported for rough conduct for an incident involving Hodge in the second term.

Liam Jones had a big day in the circle for the Dogs, booting four majors in the losing effort, while Adam Cooney slotted two as the only other Bulldog to score multiple goals.

The success-starved Tigers have made the finals only twice since losing the 1982 decider, and their 3-0 start adds to preseason expectations they will return to the top eight this year.

By contrast, the rebuilding Bulldogs suffered a dirty afternoon. Easton Wood injured his hamstring in the first quarter and Tory Dickson was helped from the field in the last term after hurting his leg.

The AFL could also fine the Bulldogs after Tom Campbell was a late addition to the side, despite not being named as one of the three emergencies. He replaced Ayce Cordy, who has a tight back.

The Tigers also left out Jake Batchelor (ankle) for former Adelaide midfielder Chris Knights, who kicked a goal in his Richmond debut.